A new visual art exhibit has opened at the Old Fire Hall in Whitehorse, featuring selections from Northwestel’s corporate art collection.

The exhibit showcases 19 works of art from the company’s collection, all created by Yukon and northern British Columbia artists, including this year’s directory art. This is the third such exhibit Northwestel has created this year. The company also put together similar exhibits in Iqaluit and Yellowknife, featuring art from those areas of the North.

All the works included in the Whitehorse exhibit have appeared on a Yukon and northern BC directory cover.

“We wanted to share some of the magnificent northern artwork that Northwestel has collected over the past two and a half decades,” said Paul Flaherty, Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our corporate art collection got its start in 1983, after a suggestion was made by the Mayor of Whitehorse at the time, Flo Whyard, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Alaska Highway on our directory covers. This resulted in the commissioning of a spectacular Ted Harrison painting which was featured on the 1983 Yukon and northern BC directory. We are very pleased to include the Harrison work in this exhibit, along with the work of many other prominent Yukon and northern BC artists, such as Jim Robb, Jim Logan, Valerie Hodgson, Shirlee Frost, Justin Smith and Daphne Mennell.”

The exhibit opened this morning and continues until August 24th. It can be viewed from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

“We invite Yukoners and visitors to visit the exhibit over the next few weeks,” added Flaherty. “Many northerners will be sure to recognize some or all of the artworks from past directory covers. This is a wonderful opportunity to become reacquainted with these outstanding works of art and to see them in their original form.”

The art exhibit is being presented in collaboration with the Yukon Arts Centre.

In 2008, Northwestel contributed more than $670,000 in cash and in-kind donations to many northern community groups, including the 2008 Arctic Winter Games. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognized as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.